Galvanic sole.



F.' KENNEDY @L J. V.- DAVIS.

GALVANIG SOLE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8, 1908.

93 1,068. Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK KENNEDY AND JOSEPH VINCENT DAVIS7 OF BOURNEMOUTI-I, ENGLAND.

GALVANIC SOLE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK KENNEDY and JosEri-i VINCENT Davis, subjectsof the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and residents of Bournemouth,Hampshire, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inGalvanic Soles, for which we have obtained a patent in Great Britain,No. 23,500, bearing date October 24, 1907, of which the following is aspecication.

This invention relates to soles containing one or more galvanic elementscapable of generating a feeble current of electricity when excited by asuitable electrolyte such as dilute vinegar, or salt and water, or by acombination of the provided and natural acids, the intention being toassure to the wearer a constant iow of electricity during the whole timethe sole or foot gear or wear is worn.

According to the present invention, the finished sole consists of orcomprises three members, vizz-a central body and top and bottom covers.The central body upon which all the metallic elements are tted is formedof canvas, felt or other suitable fabric, such for instance as basil(sheepskin tanned) capable of retaining a certain amount of moisturewhereby a sufficient reserve of fluid electrolyte is retained for a dayscontinuous wear. Moreover the material being in contact with the wiresof which the galvanic element is composed completely or almostcompletely round their circumference, the activity of said galvanicelement is increased and its internal resistance reduced. Bysurrounding, that is to say, embedding the wires in grooves or recessesa smooth surface is presented for the reception of the top cover of thesole, and, consequently to the foot, while the wires forming the elementare kept apart from one another, thus preventing short-circuiting. Thepositive and negative poles of the galvanic element are connected tozinc and copper plates arranged on the opposite side of the central bodyin which the wires are embedded, said plates being stamped to the shapeof the toe and heel part of the sole and arranged so as to make directcontact with the skin, the top cover of the sole being provided withsuitable openings for this purpose. The bottom or back of the centralbody is covered with a suitable canvas cover.

From the above description it will be understood that the galvanicelement or grid Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 8, 1908.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

Serial N0. 447,561.

is insulated from the sole of the foot, current being distributed to thefoot only through the direct contact with the exposed toe and heelplates.

The details of the present invention are shown by the accompanying sheetof drawings in which Figure l is a top plan view showing the finishedsole. Fig. 2 is an underside plan view of the Finished sole. Fig. 3represents a top view of the central body part of the sole showing thetoe and heel plates. Fig. 4 represents an underside view of the centralbody part of the sole showing the galvanic elements or grids. Figs. 5and 6 are cross sections on an enlarged scale on the lines m, a; and y,y Fig. 4 showing the wire elements embedded in the grooves or recesses.

In said drawings a is the central or body part of the sole and Z) thegalvanic element or grid composed of dissimilar metallic wires connectedin series and embedded in grooves or recesses c and d formed in anysuitable manner in the underside of said central part. The toe and heelplates or electrodes c and j are arranged on the opposite or top side ofthe central or body part off thesole,said electrodes being connected atg and l1, to the positive and negative poles of the grid or galvanicelements. Openings z' and are formed in the top cover asee Fig.l-exposing the electrodes, thus insuring effective contact with the toeand heel of the foot. The underside of the central or body part a, theside provided with the grid, is covered with a canvas layer or backingle, and the sole thus formed preferably finished off With a suitablebinding Z, Figs. l and 2.

lVith a galvanic element constructed and arranged as set forth thefollowing advantages are obtained (a) the large surface it offers to theelectrolyte; (b) its convenience for bedding into the grooved centralpart of the sock; and, (c) its flexibility by which the sole assumes theshape of the foot without any feeling of constraint or discomfort.

I-Iaving now described our invention what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. In a galvanic sole,the combination of a central body part, top and bottom covers for saidbody part, a grid formed of dissimilar metallic rails seated in one sideof the central body part, electrode plates arranged at the opposite sideof said central body part, and means connecting said electrode platesWith the opposite poles of the grid.

2. In a galvanic sole and in combination a central body part, grooves orrecesses 1n embedded therein, a cover to` the niiderside of the centralbody part, toe and heel plates or electrodes on the top side of thecentral parta, a cover to said top side, openings in said top cover toexpose the toe and heel plates and means connecting said toe and heelplates with the opposite poles of the grid or galvanic element.

In testimony whereof We ai'ix our signatures in presenceo two Witnesses.

FRANK KENNEDY. JOSEPH VINCENT DAVIS.

Y Witnesses.:

IV. IV. IVIIAUNS, A. E` FULLER.

